Weddingbee Blog

September 25, 2010 seemed like any other ordinary Saturday. Mr. Ball Cap and I made plans to have my dad come over and help us with some landscaping and home-repair jobs.

Unbeknownst to me, while the guys returned some yard equipment, Mr. Ball Cap took the opportunity to ask my dad for permission to ask for my hand in marriage. I always loved this tradition and it was never a question for either of us whether Mr. Ball Cap would ask. My dad told him he and my mom would be honored to have him in our family. So sweet!

The guys returned to our house and grilled up lunch. Mr. Ball Cap’s phone was on the kitchen island and, while he was outside, it rang. The number on the caller ID didn’t have a name associated with it, so I opened the patio door and tossed him the phone. He answered and just kept saying, “Yes, uh huh, yes, OK, thank you” to the person on the other end. When he hung up, he just mumbled that he wasn’t sure who it was—some lady rambling on and he didn’t really remember what she said or was talking about. I was completely confused and shrugged it off as a wrong number.

Now let me stop here for a moment to say that I typically pride myself on having fantastic instincts and have ruined many a surprise in my time; however, on this occasion, I just went about my business and never had the slightest inkling something was up.

Later that afternoon, the guys proceeded to work on various house projects. I found my dad in the kitchen working on the refrigerator, but Mr. Ball Cap was nowhere to be found. I asked where he was, and my dad said he didn’t know. I searched around the house and took a peek outside and noticed Mr. Ball Cap’s truck wasn’t in the driveway. Where in the heck did he go—and without saying goodbye?!

Back inside I was confused and getting slightly worried. I texted Mr. Ball Cap and received no response. Then I called—no answer. A few minutes later he called back. He said he was at Menard’s getting a new garage-door opener switch. Made sense to me, and I thought nothing further of it.

That evening, after my dad left, I settled into my favorite spot on the couch. Mr. Ballcap headed down the stairs toward me and asked, “Ya know what I’ve been thinking?” Now of course my sarcastic self retorted, “Oh boy, now what?” He came over to me, knelt down next to the couch, and pulled a small box out from behind his back. All at once, a million thoughts swirled around in my head—Oh my gosh! This is it! I can’t believe he’s proposing at home! I look like a bum! I’m in sweat pants!

After I allowed myself to focus back on the moment, he opened the box and asked, “Will you marry me?” I believe my first words were, “Are you serious?!” Tears welled up in my eyes and I gave him an affirmative “Yes! Yes! Of course!” I was in full-on cry mode at this point, and he slid the ring on my finger and we hugged and kissed.

He later told me he’d hidden the ring in our garage but couldn’t stand knowing it was out there. He only had the ring for about three hours or so before he proposed. I loved that he couldn’t hold on to it for very long and just had to ask me! Mr. Ball Cap was later concerned we didn’t have some grand, romantic proposal story, but I told him there was no need to worry about that. I love our story. We’ll always have the memory of that proposal in our first home together, and that, I think, is very romantic!

How long did your significant other have the ring before proposing?